Thomas Bridge 03 July 2015

Video reveals 12-month cat-and-mouse game between council and graffiti artist

A graffiti artist has filmed his year-long battle against council cleaning crews who scrubbed off his ‘experiment’ on an east London wall 11 times.

Street artist Mobstr noticed the wall in Hackney Wick where graffiti outside a red painted section was scrubbed off through a different technique to that on the un-painted brickwork.

This led Mobstr to spray the word ‘red’ on painted sections, with each phrase being replaced by another as council crews cleaned the wall.

The artist gradually inched the words towards the un-painted brickwork, before painting ‘red?’ and then ‘pressure wash?’ on sections devoid of the crimson hue.

Click here to watch the picture montage.

At one point Mobstr even highlighted a section of graffiti that hadn’t been cleaned off the wall by town hall employees, spraying ‘what about this?’ alongside a large arrow.

The council ultimately covered the entire wall with the scarlet tint, prompting a final farewell from Mobstr: ‘Well, that’s one way to end it. Thanks mate, it’s been fun.’

‘I cycled past this wall on the way to work for years, I noticed that graffiti painted within the red area was “buffed” with red paint. However, graffiti outside of the red area would be removed via pressure washing,’ Mobstr said.

‘This prompted the start of an experiment. Unlike other works, I was very uncertain as to what results it would yield.’

A Tower Hamlets Council spokesperson said: 'Graffiti clean up each year costs approximately £200,000, with this particular incident costing £600. Graffiti can reduce property value and depress economic development so removal is dealt with quickly and where possible, perpetrators are prosecuted by the police.

'The council is developing an anti-defacement policy that recognises that high quality street art can benefit our communities and enhance the general street scene.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

School Crossing Patrol Officer

Essex County Council
Up to £13.4600 per hour
School Crossing Patrol Officer Chelmsford, Essex Part-Time, Temporary 7.5 hours per week, term-time only Up to 6 Months £13.46 PAYE / £17.24 Umbrella England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - Mid Essex (Various Teams)

Essex County Council
£38487 - £51834 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
Interviews will be held in person at County Hall on 8th June 2026.We're an adult social care service that wants to see citizens of Essex have as much England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Administrative Officer

Durham County Council
£26,403-£28,598 (pro rata)
Administrative Officer Permanent, Full Time, Term Time Only Required to start September 1st 2026   The Headteacher and Governors of this Outstanding M Seaham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Assistant Psychologist

Durham County Council
Grade 8 - £32,597 - £36,363
This is a 2-year post within the Educational Psychology Service which is part of the SEND and Inclusion Service for Durham’s Children and Young People Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Structures Assistant Engineer

Durham County Council
£35,142 - £39,152
Highways Services re looking for a Structures Assistant Engineer to join their Highway Team.    WHAT IS INVOLVED? You will be responsible for providin Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner